President, 

For a long time now, UNMISS has been playing a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability in South Sudan. As a major TCC to UNMISS, China has consistently and constructively participated in consultations on the draft resolution regarding UNMISS mandate renewal. We support the Mission in improving its mandate implementation and continuously adjusting and enhancing its operations based on the development needs of South Sudan, including its peacebuilding needs. Together with the international community, China will make active contributions to the peace process in South Sudan. 

Regrettably, the draft resolution that was just voted on contains a lot of elements that exert excessive pressure on South Sudan, which has nothing to do with the mandate renewal and not in line with the realities on the ground. China has reservations on several parts of the text and has to abstain from the vote. Let me make the following points. 

First, as the youngest member of the UN, South Sudan has been making unremitting efforts in recent years to advance the peace process and improve state governance. The international community should take into full consideration the current development stage of South Sudan and the challenges it faces, and should stay patient and provide encouragement. However, the draft resolution uses harsh language in a number of places, for example, only emphasizing the lack of progress in the country's political transition and blaming the South Sudanese Government in a partial way for insufficient funding for its transitional institutions and the Necessary Unified Forces, while failing to mention the real difficulties affecting the country's economic situation, such as regional turmoil and the disruption of oil exports. This is clearly neither objective nor balanced. 

Second, issues including elections, finance, and resource management are all internal affairs of South Sudan and should be determined by the Government and people of South Sudan themselves. The international community should fully respect the sovereignty and ownership of South Sudan and refrain from imposing external solutions which might interfere in the internal affairs of South Sudan. However, the draft resolution raises unrealistic requirements and standards on the internal affairs of South Sudan, and even intentionally weakens the Government of South Sudan on issues such as electoral preparations, humanitarian assistance, and the protection of civilians. This is clearly not constructive. 

Third, the South Sudanese Government has always maintained good cooperation with UNMISS and facilitated the Mission's mandate implementation. The international community should encourage the two parties to properly address their differences in the spirit of dialogue and consultation. However, the draft resolution insists on including issues such as the relocation of Tomping base despite the concerns of South Sudan and other African countries, and unilaterally exerts pressure on the Government of South Sudan when the two parties are engaged in friendly consultations. Such a move will only send the wrong signal and make the tensions even worse between the two parties. This is definitely not conducive to solving the problems. 

President, 

China has emphasized on many occasions that serving as a penholder is a responsibility, not a privilege. This time, the penholder has repeatedly delayed the consultation process, failing to allow sufficient time for all parties to study and discuss the matter. A week ago, Council members voted to adopt a resolution on a short technical rollover, so as to further build consensus. However, it is deeply disappointing that the penholder pushed for a vote when the parties remain divided. We urge the penholder to take an objective and fair approach to effectively shoulder due responsibilities, and to make genuine efforts to maintain the unity of the Council and forge the broadest possible consensus. 

Thank you, President.